Tree decorator ring kit

ABSTRACT

A decorator system includes an adjustable belt with a plurality of channels for selectively engaging one or more suspension members. The suspension members include engagement prongs for insertion into the channels. The suspension members also include cantilevered arms.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefit of priority to, non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/407,529 filed Sep. 24, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adjustable apparatus for hanging a user selectable plurality of ornaments on a columnar object such as a tree trunk.

2. Background Description

Trees and other objects may be adorned with ornamentation for aesthetic appeal. While branches are useful for supporting decorations as in the case of a Christmas tree, many outdoor trees lack branches at a convenient height for a user to access and hang decorations. Additionally, accessible branches may be too pliable to sturdily support relatively heavy decorations. Furthermore, the branches may not be in desired positions for supporting decorations.

Though the trunk of a tree is typically very sturdy and capable of supporting considerable weight, cost-effective easy-to-use devices have not heretofore been conceived which use a columnar structure such as a trunk as a support and which at the same time are readily adjustable and capable of securely supporting a selected number of relatively heavy (as well as lightweight) ornaments in selected positions.

The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves the problems and/or overcomes the drawbacks described above by providing a system comprised of an adjustable belt having a plurality of engagement projections, a plurality of engagement holes configured for receiving said engagement projections, and a plurality of vertical channels. The system also has at least one suspension member having an engagement prong and a cantilevered arm. The vertical channels are configured to securely receive the engagement prong of the at least one suspension member.

In another embodiment, the system includes an adjustable belt approximately two o four feet in length having a plurality of engagement projections, a plurality of engagement holes configured for receiving said engagement projections, and a plurality of vertical channels. The system also includes at least one suspension member having an engagement prong and a cantilevered arm. The vertical channels are configured to securely receive the engagement prong of the at least one suspension member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 conceptually shows an adjustable belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A conceptually shows a cutaway view of a prong section A-A of a belt as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B conceptually shows a cutaway view of a channel section B-B of a belt as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1C conceptually shows a cutaway view of a hole section C-C of a belt as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 conceptually shows a suspension member 200 for releasably installing on a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A conceptually shows a cutaway view of a channel section D-D of a suspension member as shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 conceptually shows a tree decorator ring kit on a columnar structure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 conceptually shows a tree decorator ring kit on a tree in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes an adjustable belt configured for supporting one or more releasable suspension members. The exemplary belt includes a buckle with plurality of projections for securely engaging holes in the belt. The exemplary belt also includes a plurality of channels for engaging a portion of the suspension arms. The exemplary suspension arms include an engagement prong, a support prong, and a cantilevered arm with a recessed end.

Referring now to FIG. 1 an adjustable belt 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The belt has a buckle end 105 and a free end. The length of the belt is preferably large enough to extend around a tree trunk. By way of example and not limitation, the belt may be approximately two to four feet in length. The average thickness 125 of the belt 100 may, for example, be approximately ¼ inch to 1 inch. The average width 130 of the belt may, for example, be approximately 1½ to 3 inches.

The belt 100 is preferably comprised of a plastic or polymeric material that provides adequate strength, durability, flexibility, and weather and sunlight resistance. By way of example the belt may preferably be comprised of a polycarbate plastic, or polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylics, cellulosics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, urethanes, thermoplastic resins, thermo-plastic elastomers (TPE), acetal resins, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyesters. Though other materials may be used alone or in combination with the aforementioned materials and/or other materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention, preferably the material is relatively inexpensive and easy to use in manufacturing operations and results in an aesthetically acceptable product. The material may further include additives to provide desired properties such as desired colors, structural characteristics (e.g., fiber reinforcements), glow-in-the dark properties and thermal reactivity (e.g., color changes according to heat).

The belt 100 includes a plurality of projections 110. A cutaway view of projection section A-A is provided in FIG. 1A. The projections 110 are configured to engage holes 120 in the belt 100. The projections 110 may extend straight or be angled or curved slightly away from the buckle portion 105 of the belt 100. The projections 110 preferably include free ends with a slightly larger diameter or slight protrusions 112 to prevent the projections 110 from inadvertently sliding out of the holes 120 in the belt 100.

The belt 100 also includes a plurality of holes 120 along its length. A cutaway view of hole section C-C is provided in FIG. 1C. The holes 120 are configured in parallel rows to align with and cooperatively engage the projections 110. Though 36 holes are shown, more or less holes may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. However, in a preferred embodiment, the belt 100 includes a plurality of holes 120 located to define a wide range of (e.g., ten or more) locking positions, with relatively small increments (e.g., ½ to 3 inches) between locking positions, thereby enabling the belt 100 to securely wrap around objects having a wide range of sizes.

The belt 100 further includes a plurality of vertical channels 115 for receiving engagement prongs 220 of suspension members. A cutaway view of channel section B-B is provided in FIG. 1B. The channels 115 are sized, shaped and configured to securely receive engagement prong portions 220 of suspension members 200 (as shown in FIG. 2). Though ten (10) channels 115 are shown in FIG. 2, the belt may include more or less channels 115 without departing from the scope of the invention. The channels are located to define a wide range of (e.g., ten or more) hanging positions, with relatively small increments (e.g., 1 to 3 inches) between hanging positions, thereby enabling a plurality of suspension members to be securely hung in a plurality of positions along the belt.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the invention includes suspension members 200 for releasably installing on the belt. 110. The suspension member 200 includes a male engagement prong 220 for insertion into a channel 115 of the belt 100. The engagement prongs 220 are sized, shaped and configured to securely slide into channels 115 of the belt. The length 225 of each engagement prong 220 is preferably approximately the same as or slightly greater than the width 130 of the belt 100.

The suspension member 310 is preferably comprised of a plastic or polymeric material that provides adequate strength, durability, rigidity, and weather and sunlight resistance. By way of example the member 310 may preferably be comprised of a phenolic plastic, or polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylics, cellulosics, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, urethanes, thermo-plastic resins, thermo-plastic elastomers (TPE), acetal resins, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyesters. Though other materials may be used alone or in combination with the aforementioned materials and/or other materials, without departing from the scope of the present invention, preferably the material is relatively inexpensive and easy to use in manufacturing operations and results in an aesthetically acceptable product. The material may further include additives to provide desired properties such as desired colors, structural characteristics (e.g., fiber reinforcements), glow-in-the dark properties and thermal reactivity (e.g., color changes according to heat).

The suspension member 200 also includes a support prong 210 for supporting the suspension member 200 against the belt 100. A suspension channel 215 divides the support prong 210 from the engagement prong 220. The suspension channel 215 is sized, shaped and configured to enable the support prong 210 to fit within a channel 115 of the belt 100 while the engagement prong rests snugly against the outer surface of the belt 100.

The suspension member 200 also further includes a cantilevered arm 230 with a recessed portion 205 near the free end. The cantilevered arm 230 is sized, shaped and configured to enable the support member 200 to support an ornament (e.g., a flower pot) a determined distance from the belt. Preferably, an ornament is hung from the recessed portion 105 of the cantilevered arm 230. The recessed portion 205 helps reduce the risk of a hung ornament sliding off the cantilevered arm 205, such as due to wind forces. Other means for securely hanging an ornament, such as a slot, hook, loop, one or more vertical protrusions and/or similar devices may be used in lieu of or in addition to the recessed portion 205, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary adjustable belt 315 according to the invention is shown secured around a columnar object 300. Two suspension members 305 and 310 are also shown. The suspension members 305 and 310 include engagement prongs (not shown in FIG. 3) which are securely inserted into channels (also not shown in FIG. 3) of the belt 315. Objects, such as hanging flower pots, may be hung from the suspension members. One suspension member or more than two suspension members may e used without departing from the invention. Additionally, the suspension members 305 and 310 may be placed in channel locations along the belt other than as shown in FIG. 3 without departing from the invention.

The side of the belt in contact with the columnar structure (i.e., the gripping side) may be textured to enhance frictional engagement between the belt and structure. The texturing may include projections, surface roughening or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a tree decorator ring kit 405 according to FIG. 3 is shown on the trunk 400 of a tree.

Advantageously, the weight of a hanging object creates a moment that forces the support prong against the belt. The force applied against the belt thus helps support the hanging object.

While this invention has been described fully and completely with special emphasis upon a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the foregoing detailed description. Such alternative embodiments and implementations are intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A decorator ring system comprised of: an adjustable belt having a plurality of engagement projections, a plurality of engagement holes configured for receiving said engagement projections, and a plurality of vertical channels; and at least one suspension member having an engagement prong and a cantilevered arm; wherein the vertical channels are configured to securely receive the engagement prong of the at least one suspension member.
 2. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable belt is approximately two to four feet in length.
 3. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of engagement projections extend from the belt in a direction adapted to facilitate securing engagement holes.
 4. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of engagement projections include free ends having protrusions adapted to prevent the engagement projections from slipping out of engagement holes.
 5. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of engagement holes include parallel rows of engagement holes.
 6. A decorator ring system according to claim 5, wherein the parallel rows of engagement holes provide ten or more locking positions.
 7. A decorator ring system according to claim 6, wherein the engagement holes provide locking position increments of about ½ to 3 inches.
 8. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein the vertical channels define ten or more hanging positions.
 9. A decorator ring system according to claim 8, wherein the vertical channels provide hanging position increments of about 1 to 3 inches.
 10. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one suspension member includes a support prong adapted to support the at least one suspension member against the adjustable belt.
 11. A decorator ring system according to claim 10, said suspension member including a cantilevered arm with a free end, wherein the support prong is adapted to apply a force against the adjustable belt when a downward force is applied at or near the free end of the cantilevered arm.
 12. A decorator ring system according to claim 11, wherein the cantilevered arm includes a means for securely hanging an ornament at or near the free end of the cantilevered arm.
 13. A decorator ring system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable belt includes a side for frictionally contacting a structure, and said side is textured for frictional enhancement.
 14. A decorator ring system comprised of: an adjustable belt having a plurality of engagement projections, a plurality of engagement holes configured for receiving said engagement projections, and a plurality of vertical channels; and at least one suspension member having an engagement prong and a cantilevered arm; wherein the vertical channels are configured to securely receive the engagement prong of the at least one suspension member, the adjustable belt is approximately two to four feet in length.
 15. A decorator ring system according to claim 14, wherein: the plurality of engagement holes include parallel rows of engagement holes and the parallel rows of engagement holes provide ten or more locking positions with locking position increments of about ½ to 3 inches.
 16. A decorator ring system according to claim 18, wherein the vertical channels define ten or more hanging positions.
 17. A decorator ring system according to claim 16, wherein the vertical channels provide hanging position increments of about 1 to 3 inches.
 18. A decorator ring system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one suspension member includes a support prong adapted to support the at least one suspension member against the adjustable belt.
 19. A decorator ring system according to claim 18, said suspension member including a cantilevered arm with a free end, wherein the support prong is adapted to apply a force against the adjustable belt when a downward force is applied at or near the free end of the cantilevered arm.
 20. A decorator ring system according to claim 19, wherein the adjustable belt includes a side for frictionally contacting a structure, and said side is textured for frictional enhancement. 